Racing begins at Pocono Downs

The racing season at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs opens Saturday and the stakes are at an all-time high.

The season will mark the return of the Breeders Crown series, which PD last hosted in 2010. The Breeders Crown is harness racing's richest and most prestigious championships series. It features more than $6 million in purses and brings to the area the best standardbreds in the world.

Complementing the Breeders Crown will be Sun Stakes in June and Super Stakes Saturday in August.

"Those three races combined with have more than $10½ million in purses," said Jennifer Starr, racing marketing manager at the track's annual media day on Wednesday. "This is truly going to be a championships season."

Those sentiments were echoed by Dale Rapson, PD's vice president for racing, who noted PD also had additional promotions in the works, including a national handicapping contest with a jackpot of $50,000.

"We're taking a national approach in our marketing," Rapson said. "Pocono Downs is no longer minor league. We've been voted one of the top 10 tracks - for both thoroughbred and standardbred - by a national media source. We are major league here, particularly with the improvements since the takeover by Mohegan Sun. And I also think you have to credit our horsemen's association and our employes for that ranking."

Rapson noted the track will continue its popular Kentucky Derby day which each year draws an overflow crowd.

"We'll have a daily double that day," Rapson said. "Starting with a champagne brunch with an early (race) card, followed by the Derby and then our evening card. It's a really popular event."

Also being offered is a $1 million bonus to a three-year-old trotter who wins the Earl Beal Jr. Memorial, part of Sun Stakes on Saturday, June 22; the Colonial, part of Super Stakes Saturday on Aug. 17 and the Breeders Crown on Aug. 19. The purse is being underwritten by the Pennsylvania Harness Horsemen's Association.

"We feel really fortunate to have those three great nights of racing here to go along with our other great series," Starr added.

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